10,000 Petition Signatures Collected Opposing PolyMet Mine

Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- 10,000 petition signatures are expected to be delivered to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency opposing the proposed PolyMet mine and citing concerns of environmental damage.

On Thursday, Environment Minnesota, a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization, held a press conference at Canal Park in Duluth to call attention to what they say is the threat of proposed sulfide mines near the Boundary Waters and Lake Superior.

“Across our country and the world, sulfide mines have resulted in environmental damage,” stated Jacob Albright from Environment Minnesota. “Sulfide mining in Minnesota could permanently damage the Boundary Waters, Lake Superior, and surrounding areas, similarly to how this type of mining has polluted other areas in the past through acid mine drainage, sulfuric acid, and heavy metals."

The new plan for the PolyMet mine was recently released and is under review. If permitted, it could open the door to other sulfide mines like Twin Metals, proposed just a few miles from the Boundary Waters wilderness.